The Raptors are not extending a qualifying offer to reserve point guard Dalano Banton, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter links).
Toronto’s decision on the qualifying offer doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of a new deal with Banton, Murphy notes. However, the Raptors are declining his qualifying offer because it would be worth more than a two-year veteran’s minimum deal.
During his second NBA season, the 23-year-old out of Nebraska saw limited run with the Raptors. He averaged 4.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG and 1.2 APG in 9.0 MPG across 31 contests with the club.
Toronto is, however, extending qualifying offers to the team’s two two-way signings from 2022/23, point guard Jeff Dowtin and power forward Ron Harper Jr., Murphy reports.
While Murphy believes Dowtin could possibly return to the Raptors next season, either on a standard or two-way deal, he believes Harper may have to compete for a spot this summer.
In 25 games with the Raptors proper, Dowtin averaged 2.4 PPG, 1.2 APG and 0.9 RPG. In 19 games for Toronto’s NBAGL affiliate, the Raptors 905, the 6’3″ guard out of Rhode Island averaged a more robust 16.9 PPG on .502/.413/.771 shooting splits, plus 6.1 APG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.7 SPG.
Harper similarly appeared sparingly with Toronto’s NBA franchise, averaging 2.2 RPG in just nine games. Like, Dowtin, the 6’6″ forward also enjoyed a strong showing for the Raptors 905. He logged 16.7 PPG on .501/.366/.776, while also chipping in 5.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 BPG and 1.0 SPG.
I always liked his game, but he couldn’t get time on the court because of Tibs 2.0 (Nick Nurse). I would like to see him on the Nets.
The main reason, he couldn’t any playing time – almost everyone on the team has the same build, position and game as him.
If anyone, blame the GM for building a team with almost all 6’8″ ~ 6’10” players.
Agreed
I’m very interested to see what happens with the Toronto Raptors this offseason. They got nice pieces where they can be great!!!
Ron Harper Jr is a real player too, not like one of those ridding off daddy’s name…
Like free ride bronny
I’m a really, really big fan of this guy. Love his fit there b/c of all their depth and versatility and disruptiveness, and playmaking, and size
So many teams should be in on him as a 4/1/2 that can arguably play all 5 positions
Banton’s got that dog in him. Any team should want him.
Perhaps if he has some cat or guinea pig in him the Raptors would’ve gave him a qualifying offer.
He’s got a nice build and length but he’s almost a liability with the outside shooting.